Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Coccidioidomycosis is most common in parts of the Southwestern United States, from Texas to southern California. It is also common in northern Mexico, Central America, and South America. When it spreads beyond the lungs, it is considered anAIDS-defining illness. These are diseases that are associated with advanced HIV infection.
This article looks at coccidioidomycosis, its symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. It also discusses the ways in which this condition is treated, and how you might be able to prevent it.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Coccidioidomycosis Symptoms
Most people with coccidioidomycosis will not have symptoms. This is because a healthy person’s immune system is usually strong enough to control the infection. When symptoms do appear, the most common tend to be mild and flu-like, including:
In the southwestern United States, coccidioidomycosis is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, or pneumonia that is acquired outside of a hospital.
In rare cases, coccidioidomycosis can become serious. When this happens, it can cause deep scars and cavities in the lungs.
If the fungus spreads beyond the lungs, it is called disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Disseminated disease can affect multiple organ systems. Complications can include:
Approximately 5% to 10% of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs.
What Causes Valley Fever
TheCoccidioidesfungus is present in the soil and can produce airborne spores during the rainy season. You can become infected when you inhale the spores. This usually happens without your knowledge.
The spores can multiply and create nodules in the airways. In people with weakened immune systems, especially people withAIDS, this can lead to a severe lung infection. When the immune system isn’t able to stop the fungus, it can spread to the blood. This can lead to disease in distant organs.
Coccidioidescannot be passed from person to person.
How Common Is Valley Fever?
In 2019, 18,407 cases of Valley fever were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The majority of infections occur in Arizona and California. In Phoenix and Tucson, for example, Valley fever causes an estimated 15% to nearly 30% of community-acquired pneumonia. Low testing rates, however, suggest it is probably under-recognized.
On average, there were approximately 200 coccidioidomycosis-associated deaths each year in the United States between 1999 and 2016.The incidence and severity has decreased in people with HIV due to the widespread use ofantiretroviral therapy.
Diagnosing Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis can be diagnosed with a number of different tests, including:
How Valley Fever Is Treated
For people with an intact immune system, coccidioidomycosis usually doesn’t require treatment. Supportive care like pain relievers and bed rest are usually enough to manage the infection.
Patients with persistent symptoms or disease that gets progressively worse may need oral antifungals.
For less-severe cases of coccidioidomycosis, Diflucan (fluconazole) is the most frequently prescribed oral antifungal drug. This is because it is usually well-absorbed, has fewer drug interactions, and is less expensive compared to other options.
Antifungal therapy should be considered for pregnant people, however, treatment depends on the stage of pregnancy.
For the severely ill, the antifungal Fungizone (amphotericin B) is the drug of choice.This drug is delivered intravenously until the infection is under control. Even after recovery, patients need lifelong oral antifungals to prevent recurrence.
People withCoccidioides-related meningitis can also receive Fungizone, but it is administered intrathecally. This means it is injected into the space surrounding either the brain or spinal cord.
It is difficult to prevent coccidioidomycosis in areas where the fungus occurs naturally. Even for people with severely compromised immune systems, preventive antifungal therapy is not recommended. Yearly or twice-yearly testing, however, is a good idea.No vaccines are available to prevent coccidioidomycosis.
If you think you are at risk and you live in an area where the fungus is common, there are a few precautions you can take.
Tips to Prevent CoccidioimycosisWear a dust mask when working with soil, or water down the soil. This will help reduce airborne fungus.Avoid going outside during a dust storm or high winds.Use aHEPA air filterand install inexpensive window and door seals.If working at a construction site, wear an N95 particle filtering mask.
Tips to Prevent Coccidioimycosis
Wear a dust mask when working with soil, or water down the soil. This will help reduce airborne fungus.Avoid going outside during a dust storm or high winds.Use aHEPA air filterand install inexpensive window and door seals.If working at a construction site, wear an N95 particle filtering mask.
Summary
People who have weakened immune systems may develop serious illness such as pneumonia. The infection can also spread outside the lungs and affect multiple organs.
The condition is usually treated with antifungal medications. Some people may need to take these medications long-term to prevent recurrence.
A Word From Verywell
Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, poses the biggest threat to people with compromised immune systems. This is especially true for people who have HIV.
The symptoms of Valley fever may be mild and flu-like. Most people don’t need treatment as their immune systems can fight the disease. For those who do need treatment, oral antifungals are generally the first line of response. Speak with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms or if you are concerned about your susceptibility to coccidioidomycosis.
What Is Fungal Pneumonia?
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).Malo J, Luraschi-monjagatta C, Wolk DM, Thompson R, Hage CA, Knox KS.Update on the diagnosis of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2014;11(2):243-53. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-286FRCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment for Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) risk & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) statistics.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AIDSinfo.Coccidioidomycosis.Galgiani JN, Ampel NM, Blair JE, et al.2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) clinical practice guideline for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(6):e112-46. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw360Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Increase in reported coccidioidomycosis - United States, 1998-2011.MMWR.2013:62(12):217-21.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).Malo J, Luraschi-monjagatta C, Wolk DM, Thompson R, Hage CA, Knox KS.Update on the diagnosis of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2014;11(2):243-53. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-286FRCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment for Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) risk & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) statistics.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AIDSinfo.Coccidioidomycosis.Galgiani JN, Ampel NM, Blair JE, et al.2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) clinical practice guideline for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(6):e112-46. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw360Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Increase in reported coccidioidomycosis - United States, 1998-2011.MMWR.2013:62(12):217-21.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).Malo J, Luraschi-monjagatta C, Wolk DM, Thompson R, Hage CA, Knox KS.Update on the diagnosis of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2014;11(2):243-53. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-286FRCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment for Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) risk & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) statistics.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AIDSinfo.Coccidioidomycosis.Galgiani JN, Ampel NM, Blair JE, et al.2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) clinical practice guideline for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(6):e112-46. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw360
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).
Malo J, Luraschi-monjagatta C, Wolk DM, Thompson R, Hage CA, Knox KS.Update on the diagnosis of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2014;11(2):243-53. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-286FR
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment for Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) risk & prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) statistics.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AIDSinfo.Coccidioidomycosis.
Galgiani JN, Ampel NM, Blair JE, et al.2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) clinical practice guideline for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(6):e112-46. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw360
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Increase in reported coccidioidomycosis - United States, 1998-2011.MMWR.2013:62(12):217-21.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
